A woman's virtue is valued above rubies...Proverbs 31:10
I love the scripture story about Jesus' love and compassion for the woman taken in adultery.
The scribes and Pharisees brought this woman before Jesus so that they might entrap Him.
“But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
“And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
“When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
“She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” John 8:6–11
In today's world, we can all benefit from the empowering influence of the Savior Jesus Christ and utilize the Atonement to come unto him...all of us.
He is our greatest advocate. How does that make you feel?
How you see things makes all the difference. Do you realize the power in that principle?
Our challenges in life give us an opportunity to demonstrate our allegiance to God and show our faith in him.
I came across a quote from Brigham Young recently that I immediately knew I wanted to share with you. Check out this excerpt below:
"We talk about our trials and troubles here in this life; but suppose that you could see yourselves thousands and millions of years after you have proved faithful to your religion during the few short years in this time, and have obtained eternal salvation and a crown of glory in the presence of God? Then look back upon your lives here, and see the losses, crosses, and disappointments, the sorrows … ; you would be constrained to exclaim, ‘but what of all that? Those things were but for a moment, and we are now here. We have been faithful during a few moments in our mortality, and now we enjoy eternal life and glory, with power to progress in all the boundless knowledge and through the countless stages of progression, enjoying the smiles and approbation of our Father and God and of Jesus Christ our elder brother."
Times are tough, but those who have faith and do their best will be rewarded. As I was reading the comments logged with the video below, one particular submission made me realize that my challenges really are not that bad when compared with many others. See if that's not the way you feel after reading this brief comment related to this video:
"Im actually homeless right now. So I come to the library and get on the computer so I can watch these videos, and I feel better."
One of the gems from the Church's Employment Resource Services was establishing a Me-in-30-seconds statement. The strategy is also referred to as an elevator or business statement. This is a brief description of one's work background and qualifications. It may also include professional experience, special skills, education, and training. I worked hard to get mine just right and improve on the wording, structure, and delivery.
Sometime I will share it with you, and I would love to hear yours. But tonight I would like to invite you to read the Ultimate Me in 30 Seconds ever given with the best networking source in history:
10 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.
11 And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning. 3 Nephi 11:10,11
I can't improve on this. It says it all.
JOHN 14:27 ~ "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Recently, I came across a couple old items that I frankly thought were long gone.
The first was a Stucki Family Fun & Fitness Fair shirt from 1984 (nearly 30 years ago) in Castle Valley. It has a drawing on front of a runner with a flag and a smile compliments of Robyn. I wore it the other day and my children thought it was pretty cool. They were right! It is really cool.
The second was an old plaque kept for years that has apparently been moved from place to place over the last four decades. The date on it is 1974, but let me now and forever share the story behind this memento with you and your posterity to come.
Grandpa made it in his wood shop in the basement of our Salt Lake City home a couple years before we moved to Castle Valley. Times were tough, but Grandpa focused on what really matters and with that token expressed his love for both wife and children.
I admire so many things about Grandpa. I cherish his memory. Perhaps you feel the same way. Of course you do.
One of his characteristics that I have come to treasure is his ability to love what he would do. There are many evidences of this. I remember him working in the hot sun in Castle Valley. Most the rest of us would come in during the hottest part of the day to rest and cool off, but not Grandpa. He would happily continue to work until dusk and often beyond. He frequently secured and positioned flood lights so he could continue working long after dark.
Even when health concerns required that Grandpa and Grandma move to Springville, they took their new little home and yard and turned it into a beautiful place on earth, where we their children and grandchildren loved to regularly visit. But perhaps the most poignant illustration of this quality in Grandpa in my mind was after he contracted cancer and this ravaging disease and the chemotherapy treatment began to take their toll. I remember with admiration and a bit of awe Grandpa moving on hand and knee throughout their Springville yard weeding and cultivating that beautiful little spot on earth. Robyn eloquently captured this quality in Grandpa's eulogy, so I will use her words to describe it: "In the last couple years, if Grandpa couldn’t wield a shovel, he could certainly dig a hole with a trowel and that he did, one small trowel-full at a time. If he couldn’t mow the lawn, he could certainly remove every stubborn weed that dared to poke through the surface of the soil. He seemed to derive life from the soil and gained immense satisfaction from the planting and harvest." Harvest was just the right word. Grandpa never complained. He willingly endured. We are only now beginnning to realize the tremendous harvest from his life, as his influence and example for good is revealed in his posterity that has and will continue to grow in number and influence, brightening our little corner of the world and making it a better, more beautiful place on earth.
When I was a young man, I didn't really understand or appreciate this quality then. I knew that what he did was for his family and in obedience to God, but I didn't fully appreciate the power or realize the message he was teaching us at the time.
I was aware there were trees that he planted and lessons he instilled that he knew he would probably never see the fruit thereof, yet he did it anyway. But it was more than that. He always wanted to give more.
One Christmas when worldly cares were demanding and gifts were few, Grandpa composed an original poem that articulated the feelings of his heart. We made gifts for one another that year because there was no money to purchase them. He therefore typed up copies of his poem and carefully charred the edges of the pieces of paper and meticulously adhered them to a stained board and glazed the paper and frame. He painstakingly made one of these for each of his children and his sweetheart that Christmas. Would you like to read what he said? Of course you do.
W. RICHARD STUCKI TO HIS FAMILY
This Christmas your worldly gifts are few,
And not as much as we'd like for you.
Though each made, through a labor of love,
Presents cherished, as gifts from above.
But, you have other blessings of greater worth,
Like the love of a family and noble birth.
A knowledge of God as He is, and the Savior,
His church and gospel complete in full measure.
A country that's free and blessed above all,
Knowledge of science at your beck and call.
So, as we consider our possessions in '74,
Let's not complain that we should have had more.
Worldly treasures are soon grumbled and gone,
But the blessings mentioned go forever on.
Cherish, use, and keep these at any cost!
They're dearly purchased and so easily lost.
The future, remember, YOU'RE going to decide.
The gifts your children get, you provide.
So if you'll have their earnest adoration,
Pass these blessings on to the new generation.
Grandpa was planning and preparing for each one of you even before you were born. I have told you the story of our first Christmas in Castle Valley. I cherish that time as one of my most memorable Christmases ever.
When times were tough, Grandpa shined. He did his best and humbly allowed others to help and by so doing set an example for his family that will forever be revered and treasured.
Of course, there is Another who expressed his love for all mankind with a token. Grandpa's fondest desire is that we would remember, love, and follow that Giver.
Funny thing, when Grandpa made this small gift nearly 40 years ago, he probably didn't imagine that I would be sharing it with his posterity so many years later. Nor did he realize its impact, and frankly neither did I. But some gifts live on.
As a young man, I loved to explore and hike. In the lush LaSal mountains or the rugged Grand Canyon, every chasm, every trail was another adventure. I remember fondly the excitement of anticipating what would be around the next bend.
Similarly, my recent job search in a round-a-bout way has led me to where I really wanted to go.
...
I actually began writing this post eight weeks ago before receiving my answer from the MTC. I had a lot riding on that decision but was confident in God's will. I know the Lord is mindful of our need and is directing the outcome.
When I realized the opportunity before me, I knew from the beginning that all would be right. It was quite literally a revelation. So many have offered faith and prayers in my behalf.
Interestingly, I have often felt pure knowledge coming from above, when writing papers for classes at the university, for instance. Frequently, I would spend hours preparing and composing work—occasionally all nighters. Then when the thoughts began to flow freely, recording the information was capturing complete thoughts and phrases as quickly as I could write. Encounters such as these can be numbered among the most invigorating and stimulating experiences of my life.
I felt that again then as I reviewed my job search, and perhaps, pondered the opportunities confronting me. While I don't know the outcome, I do know that it will confound the arm of flesh. I don't need any further witness than that. Whatever the conclusion, I am confident it is in accordance with the will of the Lord. Many jobs have eluded me, but in hindsight I will see his purpose directing me.
This is applicable in all aspects of our lives, because the Lord knows the end from the beginning. And when we align ourselves with him, we are covered—even when things turn out differently than we first expect.
Many experiences in my life have demonstrated this truth. I recall an instance captured in my journal when looking for a new place to rent upon our return to Provo from California. I quite literally had to find a place for my family to live. We were a newly-wedded couple of only 3-4 years and available apartments were few since school was nearly ready to begin. An indepth review of posted vacancies resulted in no leads, so I said a prayer, hopped in my truck, and started driving. I remember thinking that I might as well start looking in the most-preferred location and found myself approaching a neighborhood up by BYU. We could live just minutes from campus. I drove east of the Wilkinson Center and shortly spotted a small home with a For Rent sign in front. Upon further investigation, the sign had just been posted that morning and the landlord was in California and glad to have us rent his home. There was a tenant in a basement apartment, and if we would collect both payments and send them to him each month, he would be willing to discount our rent—another blessing.
That's just one of dozens of examples I could share with you. I know the Lord stands at the door and knocks. If we show faith and open the door, he will come in to us and provide the direction that we seek. Rev. 3:20
Even when Mary and Joseph prepared for the birth of the babe that would be the Savior of the World, everything didn't go as they must have expected. Yet it all worked out perfectly and fulfilled the prophecy of ages.
And so it is with us when we do our best to prepare for life's challenges and follow the guidance of the Spirit.
Then we can indeed look forward to whatever is next.
